Electrical switch gear



Aug. 1, 1933. H. J. H. HUBER 1,920,748

ELECTRICAL SWITCH GEAR N Filed March 7, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 F'igg. 2.

Inventor: Her-mom J. H. Huber,

His AbtQ-r'neg.

933. HQJ. H. HUBER ELECTRICAL SWITCH GEAR 2 a t m e e h S I t W I h 7 S 70 0 w 0 J 9 1 7! m v I r 5 m Q 6 y 3 3 J. m 5 6 3 6 M 5 4 3 m L w a 4 a M M w 6 u/7lll 2 Z\\ H t FE:

T'nve'ntor. Hev'mcm J. H. Huber, WW His 'Aobor'neg.

Aug. 1, 1933. H. J. H. HUBER ELECTRICAL SWITCH GEAR Filed March 7, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor Herman J. H. Huber;

bg mm His Attorney.

Patented Aug. 1, 1933 ELECTRICAL SWITCH GEAR Herman J. H. Huber, Brockline, Fa, assignor to General Electric Company, a Corporation of New York Application March 7, 1930. Serial No. 434,076

6 Claims.

My invention relates to electrical switchgear, and more particularly to out-door metal-clad switchgear for high voltage circuits.

In applying metal-clad switchgear to high voltage circuits such as for example, 132 kilovolts, or higher, there are involved problems relating to cost of installation, facility of assembly and maintenance, flexibility of operation of the system, and the protection of human life 10 when parts of the equipment are to be disconnected from the buses for inspection or repair.-

In certain types of metal-clad switchgear wherein the oil circuit breakers, disconnecting switches, current and potential transformers, cable connections and other equipment, are all encased or armoured by metallic structure containing an insulating medium, as oil, it is very important that. the operators know definitely that the oil breakers and other equipment are completely disconnected and electricallyisolated from the live buses or other portions of the circuit when work to be done on them. If the disconnecting switches are entirely oil immersed, for example, it is possible that the dielectric strength of the oil may decrease for various reasons so that the breaker is no longer electrically. isolated, thereby possibly causing loss of life. Grounding connections for the open disconnect contacts within the oil offer further protection, but there is present, however, the disadvantage that the contacts are not visible, and the operators must labor under the uncertainty of poor grounding connections in addition to poor dielectric char acteristics of the oil. Another consideration is that of constructio and cost. It has in general been prior practice to build out-door switching stations, more or less complicated in design, by assembling the different elements in the field so that highly skilled workmen are required for each particular installation. This method of manufacture is obviously costly as compared with factory made equipment, since in the latter case standardization of the equipment is more readily accomplished, and skilled labor more available.

It is an object of my invention to provide improved metal clad switchgearhaving preferably a main bus and a transfer bus wherein the disconnecting switch contacts for isolating the oilbreakers and associatedcquipment from said buses are separated by an insulating fluid, as oil, by air in the open or isolating position thereof.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an out-door metal-clad switching station (Cl. 175-298) I which shall be comparatively simple in construc-, tion and which may be readily assembled in the field.

My invention will be more fully set forth in the following description referring to the ac companying drawings, and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. l is a plan View of a single phase of a high tension metal clad, outdoor switching station; Fig. 2 is an elevational View, partly in section with respect to the line 2-2, of'the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an elevational View, partly in section, of disconnecting switching structure partly illustrated in-Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 isan end view of the disconnecting switching structure; Fig. 5 is an elevaticnal, sectional view of cable housing and supp'ortin structure; Fig. 6 is an elevational view, partly in section, of structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of circuit connections.

In Figs. 1 and 2 there is illustrated part of a I high tension switching station of the metal-clad type wherein all of the current carrying parts are protected by an exterior metal casing and insulated therefrom by an insulating .oil. The advantages of metal-clad switchgear are wellknown, and comprise greater space economy of the station due to closer grouping of the metalclad apparatus, better insulation of the conduc tors since they .are at all times protected from accumulations of dirt, sleet, moisture, or other substances which might tend to greatly decrease the insulation thereof, and facility of installa-' tion, due to factory-built units. In high tension outdoor metal-clad switchgear the disconnecting. switches for the oil circuit breakers and associated apparatus must likewise be enclosed within a metallic casing in order that there shall be no live parts of the circuit exposed. For the pur pose of enabling the operator to know that an oil circuit breaker or other apparatus in question is definitely isolated by air dielectric when it is to be inspected or repaired workmen, the disconnecting switches are provided with means hereinafter described for giving assurance to the operator that the breaker is not only isolated by a an air dielectric, but that one of the contacts of the disconnecting switch is immersed in an insulating oil and the other is in air.

The switching station in the present'instance comprises a three-phase sysembut one phase of which is shown in the plan view comprising Fig. 1,

' nection 11'.

since the apparatus and connections are substantially duplicated in each phase. In connection with the description or" the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, reference is had also to the single line circuit diagram illustrated in Fig. 7.

The phase bus cables'l and 2 which may comprise a main and transfer bus, are lead covered and armored in a Well known manner to form an oil-filled metal-clad structure, and are adapted to be connected either individually or together to a line cable 3 of similar construction through switching apparatus hereinafter described. The bus cables for each phase are preferably disposed within separate ducts extending transversely of the phases and overground as illustrated'in Figs. 2 and 5.

In this arrangement, thethree separate phase ducts or passages are formed by walls 4 of suitable rigid material, as concrete, spaced and eratending parallel with respect to each other. At suitable intervals for supporting the cables in spaced relation to the ground or bottom of the duct, saddles or similar supports 5 extend between the wallsas illustrated, the ends thereof being preferably molded in the concrete. Cover structure fi for the ducts is'likewise providedfor protecting the cables from the weather. It will be noted that the spaces above and below the cables permit unrestricted circulation of air through the ducts, thereby preventing excess dampness therein.

The bus cable 1, referring now to a single phase, extends from its duct upwardly to an overhanging metallic housing 7, which is supported a manner hereinafter described, and attached to nently connected to a line connectionll which may be connected to a ground and test connec-' tion 10 by the switch. 9. The ground and test connection is also provided with a ground switch 12 for use when the bus cable is to be grounded. l 'orthe purpose of duplicating the bus cable 1, the housing 7 is provided with an extension having mounted therein the cable connections 8 to which a duplicate buscable 1' may be connected. As in the case of the bus cable 1, the cable 1 is likewise connected permanently to the line con- As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 7, there are two each of the cable end-bells 8 and 8" which are disposed at opposite sides of the housing 7 .for the cables leading to and from the line con nection 11. I

The line connection '11 is likewise connected through a disconnecting switch, hereinafter described, indicated generally by 13, to an oil circuit breaker 1 The oil circuit breaker may be of any suitable type whose terminals are electrically connected through conductors within the oil filled metallic conduits 3.6 to the similar disconnecting switches 13 and 18 respectively, arranged on each side of the breaker. Each of. the armored conduits 16 supported in part by suitable bracing and equalizing structure 16, is preferably arch-shaped, which therefore readily adapts the circuit breaker and disconnecting switches to the use of conventional cable insulators or end-bells 17 which are connected to opposite ends of the conduit forming a jumper unit, thereby making specially designed lead-in connections unnecessary.

Referring again to the circuit connections; the disconnecting switch 18 is connected directly to the line cable 3 through a current transformer 19.

19 and to the disconnecting switch 18. A disconnecting switch 27 is connected to the other terminal of the circuit breaker and is connected to the bus cable 2 through the line connection 11,. As in the previous instance, the line connection 11 is associated with the test switch 9 and the ground blade 12.

The switch station is provided with tracks 29 disposed in run-ways 29' extending transversely of the phases so that a suitable truck 30 mounted thereon may be run opposite a circuit breaker, and the same, after it has been mechanically and electrically disconnected from the system, rolled onto the truck and moved to a suitable place in the station for repair or inspection. The disconnecting switches and lighter equipment may be transported by usual truck and skids when they are to be repaired or inspected. In installing the metal-clad cable connections or jumpers between the oil, circuit breakers and disconnecting switches a suitable frame mounted on one of the'trucks 30, as for example, a socalled riggers A-frame provided with .block and tackle, may be used for swinging the jumpers as a unit into position.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, there is shown a disconnecting switch comprising a metallic housing 31 having a cover structure 32 through which extends an insulating bushing 33 for the stationary lead-in conductor. he insulating bushing is suitably secured to the cover- 32, as by a flanged clamping connection 34, bolted to the bushing and cover 32, and supports-the lead-in conductor and its metallic encasingconduit 16.

The lower end of the bushing 33 carries a stationary contact member 35 which is adapt'ed'to be engaged by a movable contact member 36 carried at the lower'end of an insulating member 37 movable with respect to the tank 31. Suitable shields 35a and 36s. are mounted at the lower ends of the insulators carrying the contacts 35 and 36. A conductor stud 38 extends longitudiat its upper portion in another contact member 39 adapted to engage a socket contact 40 in the manner illustrated when the disconnecting switch is in its closed position. Due to the fact that the ductor .2, and is supported and spaced with 1 respect to the cover of the casing 31 by a hollow insulating shell 43 open at its lower end and secured to the cover structure 32 in any suitable manner, as by a clamping ring M;

It may be pointed outat this time, referring to Fig. 3 taken in connection with Fig. 7, that the lead-in conductor 42 is permanently connected to a line connection 11, whereby the cables 1 and 2 aredirectly connected to a terminal of a corresponding disconnecting switch. Y

- nally through the insulator'37 and terminates The insulating shell 43 is provided withgaskets or other suitable means for making the joints at the opposite ends of the insulating shell between the'cap 41 and the cover structure 32 respectively, oil-tight for the purpose of retaining insulating oil within the metallic shell or extension 45.

The insulator 37, as will be noted, carries two movable "contacts of the disconnecting switch in series -with the circuit through the switch so that there will be two breaks in series when the insulator??? is in its lowered isolating position. For the purpose of providing an oil bath for one set of contacts i'n thegclosed position, a receptacle 46 open at itsupperside and containing an insulating oil 47 is mounted within the casing 31 and carries in any suitable manner, as'by the supporting members 43, the insulator 37, so as to be vertically movable therewith as a unit with respect to the casing 31. It will be noted therefore, that when the insulator 3'7 and 'oil-con- 'taining receptacle i6 are in the'upper, closed circuitposition, the contacts 35 and 36 which extend within thereceptacle are immersed in the oil therein. Whenthe oil-containing receptacle 46 and the insulator 37 are lowered to open the disconnecting contacts, the con tacts 39 and 40 separate in air and are spaced from each other by air dielectric, and by grounded shutters (not shown), disposed in any suitable manner atthe lower end of the insulating shell 43 so as to close whenthe contacts are open. In accordance therefore with the best practice an air break is provided at each terminal of a circuit breaker when it is in isolated relation to the system.

The contacts 35 and 36 initially separate in oil and are immersed therein 'until the receptacle 46 has been lowered until the oil level is below the contact 35, whereupon the contact 36 moves to its fully open position, separated from contact 35 by both air and oil dielectric. Since the contact-carrying insulator 3'7 is fixed with respect to the receptacle 46, and extends partly therein, the contact 36 is immersed in the oil at all times.

Due to the fact that a static discharge often occurs when a single-break disconnecting switch is opened in air, it is desirable in the present instance to cause the contacts 35 and 36, which are oil-immersed, to open before separation of the air-break contacts 39 and 40. To this end, the stationary contact 40 is simply elongated so that the contact 39 is still in engagement therewith after separation of contacts 35 and 36. Accordingly, the static discharge between the airbreak contacts 39 and 40 is greatly reduced or eliminated.

For the purpose of suitably raising and lowering the movable contact unit of the disconnecting switch, there are provided supporting lugs 49 bolted at 49a to the receptacle, slidable along vertical guides 50 and operatively connected to screws 51 connected by gearing 52 to suitable driving means, as an electric motor (not shown). It shall be understood that interlocking mechanism of any suitable type maybe em'- ployed between the motor disconnecting mechanism and the mechanism for operating the'main oil circuit breakers so that the circuit breakers shall be opened and closed prior to the opening and closing respectively of the disconnecting switches. Interlocking structure for this purpose is well known in the art and a detailed description thereof is believed unnecessary for a clear understanding of the present invention.

The lower portion of'the receptacle 46 "is pro-,

vided with rollers or castors 53 so that the receptacle when in its lower position may be unbolted from the supporting lugs 49 and lowered upon the tracks 54, and if desired,rolled out of the casing 31 through a suitable opening therein.

mitting removal of the oil tank 46 cooperating with .an upper adjoining door 56. The door 56 not only permits clearance 'of the'insulator 3'7with respect to the casing 31, but is provided. with a window 57 so that the position of the insulator .37 may readily be determined by inspection at any time. It is therefore a simple matter to check up on the position of the disconnecting switch so that the chances of injury to workmen are inconsequential.

In connection with the disconnecting switches in Figs. 2 and 3, there is illustrated an overhanging housing or superstructure '7 carried thereby and by the bracing structure '7 for housing and supporting electricalconnections, etc., related to the bus cables. The housing '7, referring to the end View in Fig. 4, is adapted to support the insulating cable end bells 8 towhich the main busjcable lin the present instance is connected. The cable connections preferably extend through portions in the superstructurein the manner of between the same and the cable ducts may be minimized. Referring again to Fig. 3, the ground switch 9 having suitable operating means is pivr otally mounted upon an insulator 9 carried by and extending through the lower wall of the'housing 7, and is adapted to engage the line contact 11 mounted on theinsulator 11" for grounding or testing purposes. The ground switch12 'coacting with the contact 10 secured to the lower part of the insulator 9, is .pivotally mounted with respect to the stationary structure of the disconnecting switch. Y

The arrangement of the insulators and cable connections within the housing '7 is best illustrated in the plan view in Fig. 1, which shows the four cable connections and their relation to the line and ground and test connections.

The housing '7 is provided with fluid sealing means for the insulating cablesupports, etc., extending through the same and is in communication with the. extension 45 of the associated disconnecting switch. An insulating fluid as oil, fills both the housing '7 and the extension 45.

In Fig. 6 there is illustrated'in more detail the current transformer 19 and the structure associated with the same. The current transformer, as previously mentioned, is electrically connected to the phase conductor between the disconnecting switches 18 and 25. These disconnecting switches are joined at their extensions 45 by a metallic expansion means, as metallic bellows 62, (Fig. .1) for permitting relative movement at the extremities of the conduit without damaging the same and 'causing leakage of the oil therein. In connecting the current transformer in the circuit,

parallel conductors disposed in one portionlof' the conduit 60 are employed comprising the main conductor 63 connected, as by clamping, to the an inverted V in order that bending of the cable Y mounted with respect to the casing 68 are the ground and test switches diagrammatically shown in Fig. 7, also showing the connections leading from the post insulator 20.

The current transformer 19 is adapted to be lowered from its operative position, and tothis end, it is provided with supporting lugs 72 carried by the transformer tank, and pulleys 73 cooperating with a Windlass device 'l imounted-upon and disposed at opposite sides of a supporting frame 75 which is in turn mounted upon the disconnecting switches 18 and 2 5. The disconnecting switches are so spaced that the current transformer 19 may be lowered without interference between the same to the ground level. 5 Since the current transformer is a self-contained unit, the cover of which is secured to supporting framework, inspection thereof may be had in either of two ways. The transformer as a unit may be lowered to the ground and transported to a suitable place for inspection, or the transformer tank casing may be lowered, leaving the transformer itself supported by the framework 75. In

the first instance, it is of course necessary first to unclamp-the lead conductor rods 64 and 66 from their conductors within the conduit 60, unbolt the flange coupling 60 and unbolt the transformer top from its supporting frame, before lowering the entire unit.

It shall be understood that my invention is not limited to the specific details of construction or arrangement thereof herein illustrated, and that changes and modifications will occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new and desired to secure b Letters Patentof the United States is:

, 1. Metal-clad switchgear comprising oil circuit breakers, bus and line cables, disconnecting switches for isolating said circuit breakers with respect to said cables, each disconnecting switch being housed and mounted within a metallic casing mounted independently of and spaced from said breakers, a superstructure for housing electrical connections between the disconnecting switch and its respective cables mounted on and overhanging said metallic casing, and insulating bushings for the cable conductors mounted within and depending from saidsuper-structure.

2. Metal-clad switchgear comprising oil circuit breakers-bus and line cables, disconnecting switches .for isolating said circuit breakers with respect to said cables, each disconnecting switch being housed and mounted within a metallic casing mounted independently of and spaced from said breakers, a metallic superstructure for housing electrical connections-between the dis connecting switch and its respective cables mounted on and overhanging said casing, said connections comprising a terminal connection between a terminal of the disconnecting switch and said cables and a ground and test switch adapted to connect with said terminal connection, and insulating bushings mounted 'within and depending from the overhanging portion of said superstructure, forthe cable conductors.

3. Metal-clad switchgear comprising oil-cir-. cuit breakers, bus and line cables, disconnecting switches for isolating the circuit breakersand associated apparatus with respect to'said cables,

4,.A metal-clad switching station comprising oil circuit breakers, main and auxiliary bus and line cables and disconnecting switching structure for isolating the circuit breakers with respect to the cables, said circuit breakers and disconnecting switching structure mounted in separate casings and arranged in line, insulating bushings supported by and depending from the disconnecting switching structure for the bus cable conductors leading therefrom, and aboveground cable supporting and housing structure for said main and auxiliary bus cables comprising spaced parallel walls forming individual cable passages disposed at the opposite ends and transversely of said line of casings. j

5. A metal-clad, high tension, outdoor. switching stationcomprising phase bus and line cables, oil circuit breakers for controlling the said cable circuits, metal-encased disconnecting switching units for isolating the circuit breakers, runways extending transversely of the respective phases for permitting removal of the circuit breakers and units for inspectionand repair, armored electrical connections between said units and circuit breakers, said armored connections being archshaped in form and extending over said runways, and over-ground phase cable supporting and housing structure comprising ventilated phase passages-within which the respective phase-cable is suspended extending in a direction parallel to said runways.

6. A high tension, metal clad bus and switch station comprising bus and line cables, oil circuit breakers for controlling the circuits between bus and line cables, disconnecting switches for isolating the circuit breakers and associated apparatus with respect to said cables, said disconnecting switches being metal enclosed, an extension housing connected to a metal enclosure and supporting insulating bushings including terminal connections for said disconnecting switches, cable supporting and: housing structure forming individual cable passages extending along ground and at opposite sides of said station and transversely of the phase connections including said oil circuit breakers and. disconnecting switches, said insulating bushings depending downwardly in diverging directions and connected to said cables so that said cables fan HERMAN J. H. HUBER. 

